Author Note: ….okay Doug…you win, here's an extra chapter for the day!

T7S

Chapter 21 – Is it Me or the Baby?

T7S

Eric looked at his paystub again. The Child Support Agency sure took their 20% out quick and now he had another bill for Tulia's doctor appointment. True to her word, she called him every other week and sent copies of the results of each doctor visit. Eric started putting money aside for a second car seat, a bassinette and everything he would need to keep the baby with him at the Forman home. There was no way that his son would live in a different state. This would go to court as soon as the paternity tests were conducted.

August was a record hot summer. Jackie rarely came out of her apartment and when she did she was just bitchy and grouchy. Eric was trying to work all the overtime he could but that 20% put a big dent in his earnings. Tulia was set to deliver anytime within the next two weeks and he needed to get his car road worthy.

Kitty and Red didn't want to acknowledge the very real possibility that their first grandchild would be born so far away from home. They agreed to keep an eye on Jackie who was rapidly approaching her seventh month and the most important birthday of her life. Pam Burkhart should be showing up soon despite the restraining order.

Jackie was sitting in a wading pool of water just running the hose over her head when Eric drove up. She looked so miserable and adorable he wished he had a picture. He left his apron on the front seat of the car and went to kneel down beside the inflatable pool. 'Why aren't you in your apartment?"

She glared at him. "Because the air conditioner broke and it's 110 degrees up there and I can't DRIVE anywhere. I'm melting." She sobbed.

Eric was surprised to find she started crying. "I'm tired of being fat and pregnant. I thought it would be fun and interesting but this baby moves ALL the time! I can't eat spicy food anymore, my shoes don't fit and I can't sleep…."

Eric took off his shoes and climbed into the little pool with her and just gave her a hug under the water that spewed from the hose. He had been so concerned with the problems Tulia was giving him he forgot that Jackie was still fragile.

He needed to take care of the one that really mattered.

T7S

Red was carrying his trash outside and was surprised to see his son cradling a sleeping pregnant woman in the kiddie's pool. He raised a brow and asked, "She's tired of being pregnant?"

Eric nodded and Red laughed. "Now the fun begins!" Kitty came out behind her husband, "Oh Red, be nice. Eric, when Jackie wakes up tell her the repair man is bringing a replacement and should be here within the hour. The poor dear was just so warm."

Eric liked having the brunette laying in his arms – he felt a little proprietary even if it was just because his definite-for-sure baby was inside her womb. She was slow to wake and when she did, Eric was graced with one of her thousand watt smiles. "Oh, I needed that nap." She wanted to sit up but having Eric's arms around her felt too good to give up.

"Eric, I wasn't complaining earlier." She confessed. Eric kissed the top of her wet scalp, "I didn't hear any complaints. I heard a pretty lady admit she wanted to go shoe shopping…."

Jackie turned in his arms, pool water splashing outside the plastic. "You would take me to the mall?"

Eric grinned. "Jackie, I'd take you anywhere. Would you like to put on some dry clothes first? The repairman is on his way to fix your AC." Eric stood up and gave her a hand to her feet. "Let me help you so you don't slip."

Jackie had toweled off her hair and slipped into a pretty sundress. She found some old tattered sandals and quickly added a coat of lipstick. Eric was standing at the front window looking down the driveway. He must have felt her presence because he turned around and was nearly knocked out by her simple beauty. "Damn Jackie…."

"What!" Was there a hole in her dress?

"Sorry. I mean, you look so pretty and I'm not saying that because your boobs are getting bigger."

Jackie looked at her chest, "Oh my god…they are! Look at that!" Eric was trying hard NOT to look at her chest. Instead, he just swept her into his arm and kissed her. "You make my heart skip a beat." He said with a low breath. Jackie just looked up at him; he was so sincere and so determined to be polite. Why couldn't he just pick her up and dump her on the bed and make love to her right now? Her crazy hormones were all over the place!

Instead, she let her head rule her hormones and replied, "The mall called. We're late!" She took Eric's hand and he laughed. "That's a new one."

Jackie led the way down the stairs, "Oh, don't worry I have a million of them!"

T7S

One nice pair of rubber soled shoes, two pair of vibrantly colored flip-flops, a modestly low heeled pair of pumps and Jackie was happy. They window shopped together holding hands until the sun went down and were forced to leave the cool air-conditioned shopping mall. The walk through the parking lot was nice. The street lights were just starting to come on and Eric didn't want to take her home. Going back meant having to deal with his harsh reality when all he really wanted to do was be with Jackie.

He opened the car door and she slid in. Eric jogged around and got in quickly starting the air conditioner. Cool air filled the Mustang and Jackie sighed, "Let's just drive." She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the seat. Eric put the car in drive and took the first exit east.

They had been driving for maybe fifteen minutes with only the radio playing in the background. Eric merged onto the freeway and at third gear; Jackie covered his hand with her palm. She looked over at him and couldn't help but think of how handsome their son would be. Eric glanced her way and smiled and the action shocked her to her toes! Wait….was she infatuated with him?

He shifted into fourth and entwined her fingers with his, "What's on your mind there pretty lady?"

"I was thinking about what our baby would look like. I mean compared to the toad that Tulia is going to give birth to."

Eric grinned, "Be nice…it's not the baby's fault if his mother is a frog."

Jackie laughed. "…and there's the slim….very slim possibility that your tadpole is coming out in a couple of weeks."

"What's with all this reptilian talk?" he quizzed.

"I don't know, but I'm starving! I don't think I had lunch and you better find someplace quick because I have to go pee too."

He smiled and pulled off the freeway and into the parking lot of a Denny's restaurant. Jackie nearly ran to the glass doors. Eric locked the Mustang and followed her inside the cool eatery. There was a window booth where she could put up her legs so he requested that seat and waited for her to come out.

Just minutes later she came out looking like a tall glass of cool water. Eric waited until she slid in before he took his own seat. "They have everything on the menu."

She picked up the plastic covered picture menu, "Good because I could eat everything!"

A waitress came by to take their drink orders and Jackie scanned the sandwiches, then the salads and decided on chicken strips and onion rings. "You'll have to get me an antacid later, but I need the greasy stuff now."

"Hey." He said softly. Jackie put down her menu. "What?"

"I know you said you'd never get married…."

"Right….I'm good with that." Damn, the Cobb salad looked good too!

Eric cleared his throat. "Um, when the baby is born…er, will it have my last name or yours?"

Jackie smiled. "Are you worried that I'm going to pull a Tulia?" She reached across the table and patted his hand. "I don't think Baby Burkhart-Forman sounds good. Think of how hard it will be to spell when kid starts school! I thought Baby Forman sounded fine. Unless, of course, you have any objections."

Eric shook his head no. He loved the way it sounded and he was secretly pleased that Jackie had no qualms over giving the baby the Forman name. Red would be happy. "You know, the marriage offer is still open…."

Jackie smiled. "Eric, I'm too high maintenance. I think we do just fine as friends…don't you?"

Actually Eric wanted to officially take Jackie "off the market". There was nothing written that said she couldn't start dating other guys after the baby was old enough. Eric couldn't bear the thought of some other guy looking at Jackie like she was a conquest. The idea that some other man could become a step-dad to his child filled him with dread. .

"Marry me." He said simply. Jackie put the menu on the table. "Eric, is this about me or the baby? Have I given you any reason to think I would keep your kid from you?"

"No." he replied. "I want you. Both of you – I want us to be a family. I want to have my own family and I think I'm a decent guy and if you give me a chance I can prove to you that I can take care of you."

Jackie smiled. "That is the worst proposal I've ever heard."

T7S